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Disagreeing With Your Boss - Part 1

This cast describes when it's okay to disagree with your boss, and how to do it.

It really is OKAY to disagree with your boss. Until, of course, it's NOT okay. Clear enough, right? Okay, here's a quiz.

a) Your boss has just come from a meeting and wants to discuss ways to implement his boss's decision. HIS boss thinks it should be done "x" way, HE wants to do it "Y". You think X is better. Would you tell him? Or agree with him? Or be politically correct and offer no opinion?

b) Your boss wants you to change a process. You think it's fine as is. Would you make your case? Isn't it just easier to agree? Or would you agree and then act slowly?

c) Your boss is on a committee who is implementing a process change, and they have reworked it start to finish. Now you have to change what your team does, and it's going to be hard work, some of which you don't agree with. What do you tell your team?

Most newer professionals would probably answer the same to each of these scenarios, based on their own personalities and temperaments. But there are general guidelines we need to know if we're going to be effective and avoid looking either naive or unprofessional.

Never Disagree With Your Boss In Public

Never Say, "I disagree." There Are Better Ways

Brainstorming and Having Different Ideas Are Not Disagreeing

Disagree Early and Not Late

Disagree When Planning, but NOT When Acting

It is Unprofessional To Disagree With Your Boss While In Private With Others